Awful Close!

Hey Folks,
Well, well, well........ It's now Wednesday night, less than a week to go. So since I last posted I've been doing short runs during the previous week and then tackled an 8 miler on Sunday. The 8 miler didn't go well for me and I had to stop a few times. I found this event quiet worrying as I knew that I had scaled down my training as per the plan. Not to worry though, I believe it was the fast short runs that lead to this and never really gave me the chance to recover, so a quick change of plan had to be implemented i.e. don't do another run until the big day. I am quite tired these nights and have been going to bed earlier and earlier to try and get a lot of rest, my legs are still quite acidy so I'm going to make sure I rest well for the rest of the time. There's no escaping the hype now, people in work are talking about it, my mates are phoning and texting me enquiring about things and the papers have been writing about it. As for the fund raising, I am continually overwhelmed by the warm response from people, especially those who I haven't seen in a while, I'm almost at 650 quid and I have a few more donations to come. This is great and will go to a worthy cause. In the few days left I am just relaxing now and getting prepared got Josh Ritter gig tomorrow eve and a wee coffee date on Fri then a whole weekend of DVD watching and scoffing the carbs and sleep. Righto off to bed, although I can't help but watch the news as poor Gordon Brown just made one of the biggest mistakes of his career and it's so addictive. Righto over and out.

Con

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Knees Up

Hi all,
Only 2 weeks to go and it's all getting very real! Yesterday, I ran the first two stages of the Marathon route with Nuala and Joanne. The route basically runs along east Belfast then bacl through town and out by the Falls Rd and the Shankill Rd 9 miles in total. There were yellow AA signs giving the Marathon route which made me realise that the big is drawing near and as I write this I am thinking that I will be finished this day two weeks, my stomach tightens at the thought of it. My knees are giving me trouble at the moment and I'm quite anxious to rest up as much as possible although it's difficult when you are walking around a hospital pharmacy all day long! Ah well you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs (or patellas) On the donation front we're nearly there! Only another 60 quid and we'll have reached the target of 500 quid, so thanks again to everyone who has donated your response has been great. Well that's me for now!

Good luck to ya

Connor

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Altitude training?

G'day Folks,

Been a while but again all's quiet on the preparation front! Just back in Belfast today after a hard trek up Errigal Mountain in Gweedore in County Donegal. You really can't miss it, it's a big pointy hallion of a mountain amongst other no so pointy hallion mountains in the Derryveagh Mountain range in North West Donegal. Really boggy at the bottom, rocky and slippy as hell halfway up and then narrow and downright scary at the peak. I had good company in the form of my dad who hadn't climbed it before and despite the fact mum had doubts over his fitness but he done it no sweat and I definetely know where I got my stubborn determination from now. To see photos click on this link http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=417474&id=646585102&l=c905c46478. So what has this got to do with marathon training? Well I've gone a bit Mr Miyagi on this one, firstly the steep climb helps to strengthen my leg muscles which can help improve my time and secondly, I'm not great with heights, so there was the psychological challenge of continuing on despite every nerve in your body saying "No No Noooo" I hope there will be parallels to this and the "Wall" which is a state when your body and mind tell you that you can't go on and usually happens in the later stage of a Marathon. Oh and thirdly, the weather was fantastic and I couldn't be arsed running (Not so much Mr Miyagi's philosophy, more my own). So still got to do this 20 miler, reckon I'll do that tomorrow eve. On the fundraising front, the Money is pouring in, I am genuinely humbled by the warm response and good wishes I have received some peole have given money but still haven't put forward their name against a mile! There is still plenty of time to donate at http://original.justgiving.com/connormcgee. It's three weeks tomorrow arrrggghhhh!

As ever

Connor ;-)

P.S. Big CONGRATULATIONS to Geraldine Douris who completed the Paris Marathon today in 4hrs 15mins what a legend!

Tick-tock, tick tock!

Hey all!
Not really that much to report, I guess I'd be happier typing than watching Man U destroy B.Munich. Went on a run on Easter Sunday morning in my shiny new trainers and they didn't disappoint! They were lovely and I was running with a great feeling because loads of people had been donating over the weekend which has really lifted me and also a bit of a reality check in that this is really happening and it's coming up fast!!! The donations have been great and I'm just so chuffed that people took the time and donated their hard earned cash for this cause. Anyways, I plan to get another 20miler in, then start the tapering down. The oul focus failed the Mot so might even plan to run home to Omagh at the weekend again lol! Special mention to Geraldine Douris who is taking on the Paris marathon this weekend, we're all behind her!

Bayern have just got one back! Yes!

I welcome donations from all football fans including Mancs

As ever

Connor

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Antrim Rd and Gideon's Green run.

Back again as promised. Did the 12 mile run with Nuala tonight, it went very well and I must say when you are running with someone, it makes it much nicer. It was a beautiful evening and I got to enjoy a lovely view over Belfast Lough. The Antrim Rd is a long hilly affair, but I felt it ok, dropping down the Whitewell to Gideon's Green. It is here where I saw the full extent of poor Nuala's grim leg of the marathon last year. The first part is grand, which is a pleasent bit of path along the coast but then it runs along the motorway and then through the Industrial estate which treated it to some grim sights and funky smells. The organisers might be introducing some form of entertainment along this part of the route, to prevent runners losing the will to live. It was exciting to be actually running a part of the actual Marathon route and it think it's helped me to mentally prepare for the day. Well I'm off to bed, disappointing to come in from the run to see that Liverpool got beat tonight, well hopefully they can overturn it at the return game at Anfield. Off to Omagh this weekend, the car's up for MOT, hope the snow has cleared so I can get some more running and Christen the trainers. Have a happy Easter guys! Mine's a Buttons egg if yer buyin'

Connor

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